biographical info
Though heavily involved in the production of all his records, Wake Up and Say Goodbye is David Usher's first entirely self-produced effort. Recorded almost exclusively with his touring band, the new record is very much an extension of the harder edge David developed touring 2007's Strange Birds. "That was a key thing,'" he says. "Making something that continued what we were doing live, which is kicking ass."
There are trademark intimate moments on the record, the dramatically sparse ‘When It Hurts', for one, featuring Montreal cellist, Jorane, but the album's sound is a definite departure. From tight barnburners like ‘We Are Wolves Here', to anthemic tracks like ‘And So We Run', and ‘Everyday Things', it favors aggressive vocal performances and a heavily guitar-based sound. A sound more characteristic of David's high energy live show than past recordings, and nowhere is that more evident the on the lead single, ‘Kill The Lights', featuring Quebec superstar, Marie-Mai.